MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Karthus vs Swain
What is Karthus's win rate vs Swain?
In ADC, Karthus wins 51% against Swain across 57 observed ranked games.
Global ranked sample: games from every region and every rank pooled together, not one server's stats. Data runs through patch 26.12; curves updated 2026-08-07.
By 15 minutes the median game has Karthus ahead by 263 gold.
Karthus at 15:00
- Gold: +263
- CS: +5
- XP: +98
Typical gap to Swain, from 57 games that reached 15:00.
Does Karthus counter Swain?
Too close to call. Karthus sits at 51% over 57 games, so neither pick counters the other here. The lane goes to whoever wins the spots below, like the gold lead at 10:00 or staying alive until 15:00, so play for those and let the pick argument go.
How to beat Swain as Karthus
The median first death in this lane comes at 3:25; the level 6 spike lands around 7:21. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Karthus build in ADC?
The most-finished Karthus core is Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap: 58.3% across 949 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Doran's Ring + Health Potion + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Blackfire Torch (3,479 games).
Skill plan: Karthus players max Q first and take Q at level 1.